Bruce Macdonald: Neighbourhood Treasure

In Japan, they designate a select number of senior craftspeople and artisans as Living National Treasures (人間国宝Ningen Kokuhō.) Those so honoured are treated with great deference and this indicates the respect that they have earned in their lifetimes in their particular fields.

I have no desire to speak for the rest of Canada, but I do want to suggest that historian Bruce Macdonald be considered and honoured as one of Grandview’s Living Treasures.

Bruce is perhaps best known for authoring the innovative “Vancouver: A Visual History” which told our story in a series of highly detailed and informative maps of each decade. Filled with useful visuals and careful text, this is one of the primary sources of Vancouver history. But he has done so much more.

He has written extensively on the History of Grandview, Mount Pleasant, and Kitsilano. He has composed innumerable numbers of the Vancouver Heritage Plaques that adorn our city. He has worked with First Nations on ideas for a Salish Sea celebration. He was a founding member and is a leading light in the Grandview Heritage Group. He is currently working on a series of video interviews with our neighbourhoods seniors to ensure that their stories are not lost, and he is actively involved in the Our Community, Our Plan movement.

Bruce is a fine guy and I am honoured to call him my friend. Happy birthday!